Thame.net

Author: Sonja Francis

  • Aston Rowant school proud to be ‘outstanding’ (Contributed by the pupils of Aston Rowant school)

    ASTON Rowant C of E Primary School sent ThameNews.Net this report just before the school broke up for the summer holidays:

    ASTON ROWANT C of E Primary School was recently inspected by OFSTED, who awarded the school an ?outstanding? status. Aston Rowant C of E Primary School was deemed ?an excellent place to learn? and, although it is a small school, the teachers were praised on making the most of the school site. Outstanding progress was seen to be made by pupils as a result of excellent teaching.

    Joy Farrell, Head Teacher, commented ?The school is a wonderful place for pupils to learn both academic and social skills. Our pupils are polite, hard-working and a credit to themselves. I am proud of all our staff and pupils?

    In particular, OFSTED commented on the school?s participation in community events and its charitable work, in particular the support of a school in India.

    The school is extremely proud of this achievement and is looking forward to continuing with this success.

    photo: PCSO Jackie Madden recently visited Aston Rowant School

  • South Oxon youngsters victors at Youth Games

    YOUNG people from South Oxfordshire were the victors on June 28, 2009 at the Oxfordshire Youth Games, coming first in the tag rugby and high 5 netball.

    Over a thousand competitors travelled from all over the county to play nine sports including cricket and tennis. Our district’s teams did us proud being awarded second place overall.

    Bill Service, South Oxfordshire District Council Member in charge of sport said: “South Oxfordshire District Council is so impressed with the effort and dedication of our competitors at Oxfordshire Youth Games.

    “Supporting teams at this sporting event is part of our commitment to improve access to a range of activities for young people throughout South Oxfordshire.”

    Musa Audu, an Olympic bronze medallist, Commonwealth Games bronze medallist and European Club Cup Gold medallist who will be representing Britain at London 2012, helped present the Winner Trophies and took his medals along for the children to look at.

  • Motorcyclist injured in Thame crash – UPDATE

    UPDATE: A418 Oxfordshire – Aylesbury Road closed both ways (as at 6.15pm) due to serious accident, a motorcycle and a car involved at A4129 Kingsey Road, in Thame. Police at the scene are conducting an investigation in to the incident. 10/08/2009

    THE Oxford Road out of Thame was closed for around an hour at around 4.30pm this afternoon, following an incident at the Aylesbury Road roundabout, Thame.

    A motorcyclist was taken to hospital with, what an officer at the scene, described as “significant injuries” after his motorbike swerved off the road as he was negotiating the roundabout, and ended up facing the wrong way on the Oxford Road exit from the roundabout.

    It is not clear at this time whether any other vehicles were involved but witnesses were interviewed at the scene.

    More information as and when it is known.

    Photo: The motorcycle involved in this afternoon’s incident, after it had been moved by police from where it came to rest, close to the debris shown in the picture. Shortly afterwards, the road to Oxford was reopened.

  • Special needs centre’s boost from Thame Rotary

    ON Saturday, 08/08/09, the Rotary Club of Thame presented a cheque for

  • Appeal for support for ‘Free Running’ in Thame

    TWO young Thame men are trying to gain support for a sport that involves jumping, leaping and acrobatic moves to travel around the town.

    Free Running, as its know, or Parkour, the original name for this discipline with French origins, has had a bad press but Robert Fairweather and his friends, believe that it can build self-confidence, respect, fitness and creativity in young people.

    They have approached the town council and the local police about providing a Parkour park in Thame, where they and other young people can train and learn the skills to do Free Running safely and effectively.

    Rob told ThameNews.Net: “We have approached the local police about Free Running in Thame but they say that it would encourage anti-social behaviour with groups of young people hanging around, that someone not participating could get hurt and that there could be damage to property.

    “We understand these concerns but the idea is that people are properly taught to chose benches etc that are sturdy and to do the moves in a safe as well as an aesthetic way. Why would we want to damage our urban playground and ruin our own fun?

    “Proper Free Running is nothing to do with people jumping across roof spaces and getting injured as seen on TV. Its all about knowing your limits, moving in an aesthetically pleasing manner by flipping over obstacles etc, and importantly, what we do is spend a large amount of time training to prepare out bodies for the physical rigours of the activity before venturing onto the streets.”

    Free Running already takes place all over the world, including London, Mexico and Austria as will as other places in the UK including in Leicester, Salisbury and Bristol, where the local community police officer helped to set up training facilities.

    Rob explained that he has been told by Thame Town Council that if he can show that there is sufficient support and they come up with a business plan, the town council would look into supporting the setting up a Parkour Park.

    Find out more about Free Running, by visiting LINK

  • Warning of threat to local high streets from Thame’s MP

    THAME’S MP, John Howell, has criticised the Government?s proposed changes to planning rules, which he claims will reduce the powers of councils such as SODC, to control out-of-town retail development.

    A new report from a cross-party House of Commons Committee has warned that the Government?s proposed changes to planning rules on retail development (the scrapping of the ?needs test?) will result in “many more out-of-town superstores” and lead to what it calls “unnecessary risks to town centres.”

    This comes as a separate nationwide survey by the British Retail Consortium has found that 1 in 10 of all town centre shops is now vacant.

    It is feared that the Government?s proposals to scrap the ?needs test? will end the requirement for developers to prove the ?need? for additional out-of-town development. The Government consultation exercise found that the changes would ?lead to more edge-of and out-of-centre development? and ?undermine regeneration schemes by allowing development outside town centres.”

    John Howell said:

    ?I am not against out-of-town shopping centres in themselves; most of us use them at some time. But it is wrong that we are once again seeing another reduction in the powers of locally elected councillors to take decisions about planning in their area on proper evidence.

    ?In addition, this is a ridiculous time to put at risk the centres of our towns. Here in Henley (Ed. and Thame) we are seeing the town buck the trend of vacant shops. The scrapping of the ?needs test? sends all the wrong signals about promoting town centre regeneration.?

    SODC?s Cabinet Member for Planning, Cllr Angie Paterson, said:

    ?We have set out a clear strategy for the district in our latest planning documents and there is no evidence to suggest that there is a need for any new out-of-town shopping schemes. Indeed our preferred approach is to promote our town centres. Anything which undermines this and takes control over planning away from local councils should be resisted.?

  • Pre-match entertainment for FA Cup kick off

    FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round – THAME United kick off their FA Cup campaign with a home tie against Spartan South Midlands League side Bedford on Saturday, 15th August, 2009, in a game that holds high hopes for the Hellenic League side to
    progress into the next round and another home tie.

    United have progressed comfortably through their
    pre-season friendlies so far, looking to build up to the start of the season on Tuesday, 11th August with
    a home fixture against Farnborough Town Res (7.45pm KO).

    Thame have enjoyed some good runs in the FA Cup in previous seasons and are looking to capitalise
    on the good finish they had at the end of last season. Having also made a number of new signings to
    strengthen the squad, Mark West and Frank Thompson are optimistic that the team can put a positive
    string of results together in August that will enable a good start to the season.

    There will be some pre-match entertainment provided by teams from some of the youngsters from Thame Boys and Youth FC from 1pm, followed by a half time penalty shoot out. All under 16s will have
    FREE entry for the match, Adults

  • Arrest after Thame warehouse burglary

    A man has been arrested on suspicion of burglary after a warehouse was broken into in Thame at 2.20am yesterday (6/8).

    The 29-year-old man has been released on police bail until 7 September.

    The arrest is in relation to a burglary in Jane Morbey Road in Thame where power tools were stolen from a warehouse.

  • Tickets for Thame Show now available on line

    TICKETS for this year’s Thame Show, to be held on Thursday, September 17, 2009, are now available on line as well as from several points around the town.

    Follow to find out more.

  • Laser pen endangered aircraft

    A Laser pen shone up into the sky in Thame, could have caused a plane crash and killed everyone on board, say police.

    The Thame incident, which happened in January 2009, is one of a dramatic increase in incidents of pilots being distracted by lasers during critical phases of flight. Thames Valley Police and other regional police forces, working in partnership with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and other Government departments, are working to track down the perpetrators of these attacks.

    There were a total of 206 reported cases of lasers being used against aircraft throughout the UK in 2008, according to the Mandatory Occurrence Reports submitted to the CAA by pilots and air traffic controllers. In stark contrast, the previous year saw just 29 incidents.

    In a statement today, Thames Valley Police said: “We are appealing for the public?s help in catching foolish individuals who maliciously shine lasers at aeroplanes and helicopters ? a very dangerous activity that could potentially cause the aircraft to crash and kill everyone onboard.”

    Even inexpensive laser pointers can have a very long range of several miles. Shining a laser at an aircraft will dazzle and disorientate the pilot ? the front windscreen has thousands of tiny scratches on its surface, which diffract the laser beam in every direction. Essentially, the laser beam lights up the whole of the windscreen in a bright green glow, which can potentially blind the pilot.

    Sgt Andy Watson of Thames Valley Police Operational Support said: “Shining a laser at an aircraft is extremely dangerous, and anyone doing this will be dealt with severely. This is not just a childish prank ? you could potentially kill hundreds of people by causing the aircraft to crash.
    “I want to also appeal for anyone who witnesses a laser being shone at an aircraft to contact us immediately via the Thames Valley Police non-emergency number on 0845 8 505 505, or if it is an emergency by dialling 999.

    “I?d like to issue a warning to all would-be laser users ? we have the technology and tactics to catch people who do this. If you are found with a laser device, you can even be arrested for simply carrying it if the questioning officer is not satisfied with your reasons for having one.”

    In support, Bob Jones, Head of Flight Operations at the CAA, said: “To those individuals targeting aircraft with laser devices the message is clear ? don?t. You will be caught and you will be prosecuted and you could spend up to five years in prison. We strongly urge anyone in the local area who sees a laser being used against aircraft to contact the police immediately. These things are not toys, they pose a serious risk to all flight safety.”

    OXFORD MAN CHARGED

    On Monday (03/08/09) Jamir Ali, aged 19, from Leon Close, Oxford, was arrested and charged with endangering safety of aircraft. He was released on bail to appear at Oxford Magistrates’ Court on August 12. This is in relation to an incident on August 03, when a light, believed to be from laser pen, was shone at the Chiltern Air Support helicopter as it flew over East Oxford.

    NB Some makes of these pens, which are freely available on the internet for just a few pounds, have been banned from being exported into Australia.

    Photo: FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY – Courtesy of www.nationalterroralert.com (USA)